As mentioned a couple of weeks ago, we remain somewhat in limbo since the sale of our home and the uncertainty of when we will deploy overseas. The usual things that determine where you reside or more technically where you domicile don’t apply to us. We don’t own or rent a home, have utilities in… Continue reading Virtually Settling
Category: Change
New (Temporary) Home
After 1500 miles, several days of travel and a brief ferry ride, we’ve arrived in our new, temporary home of Anderson Island, WA. We unexpectedly found a halfway reasonably priced furnished rental here since summer is over and the crush of tourists has passed. We decided after four months in the summer heat of Phoenix… Continue reading New (Temporary) Home
Almost Done!
Today was very exciting. After an acceleration of our efforts to finalize our initial visa application for Taiwan, we confirmed via a Zoom call with Office of International Mission that we have all the necessary components for the application. Tomorrow, I go to the bank to get cashier’s checks for the application, and then we… Continue reading Almost Done!
Crown of Life ~ Sun City West, AZ
Pastor Phill and I met years ago when he and his wife would worship with our congregation in Santa Barbara while they were on vacation. So when he heard we were taking an overseas Call and would be in the Phoenix area for a while he was the first to reach out and invite me… Continue reading Crown of Life ~ Sun City West, AZ
Where Do You Reside?
We do a good work in distinguishing home from a house/apartment/yurt/whatever. But we all reside somewhere. The question is, how does this work? For most of us the question isn’t very complicated. Wherever we own or rent a place and live there is where we reside. Sometimes that means making a decision between two (or… Continue reading Where Do You Reside?
Done With Doctors!
At least, I think we are! This has been the most intimidating aspect of our preparations for applying for a work visa for Taiwan. Having been out of the traditional doctor/insurance system for more than a few years, it was a bit bewildering to enter into it with somewhat of a vengeance. My work visa… Continue reading Done With Doctors!
Hope & Waiting
Two weeks ago I was blessed to spend an hour on Zoom talking to my boss, the director of the Southeast Asia Region of LCMS Office of International Mission. We touch base every so often during the strangeness that is pre-deployment during Covid. He gave me good news – that our raising of funds is… Continue reading Hope & Waiting
A World at Home
As we continue to wait for Covid to subside so we can submit our visa paperwork for Taiwan and Indonesia, we’re continually amazed by opportunities for cross-cultural engagement here in Phoenix. It’s a big city with a lot of international communities. Gena and the kids explored another part of it today, a large international supermarket.… Continue reading A World at Home
Sowing and Reaping
Twenty two years ago my wife returned to the Phoenix area after completing her degree at Concordia University, Irvine. Rather than seeking out a job she decided to launch a ministry. Based out of the LCMS campus ministry to Arizona State University located right across the street from campus, she launched an outreach to international… Continue reading Sowing and Reaping
Waiting
Like us, you’ve no doubt watched the increasing intensity of reports about the Coronavirus Delta variant that is leading to higher infection rates throughout the US. This is worrying, to be sure. Unfortunately, it is also worrying to the rest of the world. Indonesia and Taiwan are both dealing with outbreaks. As such, entry to… Continue reading Waiting
The Nelson Family Indonesia 